Rail appliance communication system and method for communicating with a rail appliance

Abstract

A rail appliance communication system includes: an equipment management device capable of being coupled with a conductive pathway extending along a track that a rail vehicle travels along; and an appliance communication device capable of being coupled with a rail appliance disposed proximate to the track, the appliance communication device and the equipment management device configured to communicate a data signal with each other through the conductive pathway. A method for communicating with a rail appliance includes: coupling an equipment management device with a conductive pathway that extends along a track that a rail vehicle travels along; and coupling an appliance communication device with the rail appliance disposed proximate to the track; wherein the equipment management device and the appliance communication device communicate a data signal through the conductive pathway.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed on ______, entitled “Rail Vehicle Control Communication System And Method For Communicating With A Rail Vehicle,” and having Attorney Docket No. 244717 (552-0016) (the “'______ application”) and U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed on ______, entitled “Rail Communication System And Method For Communicating With A Rail Vehicle,” and having Attorney Docket No. 244741(552-0017) (the “'______ application”). The entire subject matter of the '______ and the '______ applications are incorporated by reference herein.BACKGROUND[0002]One or more embodiments of the subject matter described herein relate to data communications and, more particularly, to data communications with wayside rail equipment or appliances.[0003]Rail vehicles such as trains travel along rails of a track. The rail vehicles may travel into systems of tracks commonly referred to as rail yards...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]A need exists for an improved system and method for communicating with rail appliances disposed alongside a track.

Problems solved by technology

The use of RF signals to communicate with the rail appliances requires relatively costly equipment in the tower and to be provided with the rail appliances.

Moreover, the wireless signals transmitted in rail yards located in urban or densely populated areas may be interfered with by other wireless signals transmitted in the area.

The interference with the yard RF signals can cause interruption of communication with the rail appliances and / or for commands to the rail appliances to not be delivered.

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